1. Water scarcity and droughts
Draft policy orientations for future action
Meeting of EU Water Directors
17-19 June 2007, Dresden

2. of water scarcity and droughts
Current situation
of water scarcity and droughts
 A worldwide problem – all European Union not spared anymore
 Water scarcity and drought : two different issues
 Need to fully consider expected impacts of climate change
IPPC report of 6 April 2007: 1.1 to 3.2 billion people affected by water scarcity if temperatures rise by 2 to 3°C.
By 2050: expected decrease by 10-30% of average river runoff and water availability over some regions
Areas affected by droughts will increase

3. Current situation
of water scarcity and droughts
 Similarities between water issues and energy issues
Adoption by Commission on 10 January 2007 of an energy and climate package
Approach also valid for water: move towards a water efficient and saving economy
Water and energy agendas are intertwined. Saving water also means saving energy.
 Just like energy, a wide range of policy options needs to be considered for water.

4. Challenges
 Progress towards full implementation of the WFD
 Address ineffective water pricing policies
 Improve land-use planning and address inadequate water allocation between economic sectors
 Water saving must become the priority: huge potential,
EU wastes at least 20% of its water, needs to respect a clear water hierarchy
 Further integrate water concerns into sectoral policies
 Fill knowledge gaps and ensure data comparability

5. Draft policy orientations
Putting the right price tag on water
Allocating water more efficiently
Improving drought risk management
Increasing water supply: the very last option
Fostering water performance technologies and practices
Fostering the emergence of water-saving culture in EU
Improving knowledge and data collection

6. Draft policy orientations
Putting the right price tag on water
Allocating water more efficiently
Improving drought risk management
Increasing water supply: the very last option
Fostering water performance technologies and practices
Fostering the emergence of water-saving culture in EU
Improving knowledge and data collection

7.  Combine effective water pricing with metering
A. Putting the right price tag on water
 Combine effective water pricing with metering
Have water tariffs consistent with article 9 of the WFD and implement ‘user pays’ principle
Wide spread compulsory metering of water: condition to effective water pricing
 Financing water efficiency
Need to consider reinforcing EU funds to address water quantity issues but also ensure efficient use of EU funds by MS
Consider new prerequisites on water management before allocating support to new water supply
Develop incentives for the promotion of water efficient devices

8. Draft policy orientations
Putting the right price tag on water
Allocating water more efficiently
Improving drought risk management
Increasing water supply: the very last option
Fostering water performance technologies and practices
Fostering the emergence of water-saving culture in EU
Improving knowledge and data collection

9.  Economic development can lead to adverse effects on water :
B. Allocating water more efficiently
 Economic development can lead to adverse effects on water :
unsustainable land-use planning - impacts of tourism, irrigated crops and biofuel on water scarce river basins
 In the agricultural sector, consider options including
full decoupling for crop supports, cross-compliance, assessment of biofuel impacts on water availability
 Ensure stringent implementation of SEA Directive
 Set-up appropriate regulations to restore a sustainable water balance in water scarce river basins

10. Draft policy orientations
Putting the right price tag on water
Allocating water more efficiently
Improving drought risk management
Increasing water supply: the very last option
Fostering water performance technologies and practices
Fostering the emergence of water-saving culture in EU
Improving knowledge and data collection

11.  Drought management plans (DMP)
C. Improving drought risk management
 Drought management plans (DMP)
Move from crisis to risk management with WFD flexibility
Identify methodologies for drought thresholds and mapping, develop recommendations at EU level
 Early warning system on droughts
Develop a prototype, set up modalities for operational EU drought observatory
 Optimise use of EU Solidarity Fund
 Optimise use of EU Mechanism for Civil Protection

12. Draft policy orientations
Putting the right price tag on water
Allocating water more efficiently
Improving drought risk management
Increasing water supply: the very last option
Fostering water performance technologies and practices
Fostering the emergence of water-saving culture in EU
Improving knowledge and data collection

13.  Need to respect a water hierarchy to guide policy-making
D. Increasing water supply
The very last option
 Need to respect a water hierarchy to guide policy-making
 Need to fully implement EU legislation, in particular the WFD
 Ensure all adverse effects are taken into account in the environmental impact assessment
 Possibility to consider alternative technologies based on further work on risk assessment

14. Draft policy orientations
Putting the right price tag on water
Allocating water more efficiently
Improving drought risk management
Increasing water supply: the very last option
Fostering water performance technologies and practices
Fostering the emergence of water-saving culture in EU
Improving knowledge and data collection

15. E. Fostering water performance technologies and practices
 Significant potential of water saving in buildings, private and public networks
 Include water-using devices in Eco-Design Directive and in a possible new Directive for water performance of buildings
 Include water efficiency criteria in standards for buildings
 Need to have Commission assessment and position on alternative solutions such as waste water reuse
 Adopt binding performances at national level, with fines in case of excessive leakages
 Develop voluntary agreements with all economic sectors towards more water-friendly services
 Further options on research, exchange of best practices, demonstration, advisory services

16. Draft policy orientations
Putting the right price tag on water
Allocating water more efficiently
Improving drought risk management
Increasing water supply: the very last option
Fostering water performance technologies and practices
Fostering the emergence of water-saving culture in EU
Improving knowledge and data collection

17. Information, education and training : priority areas for action
F. Fostering the emergence
of water-saving culture in EU
Information, education and training : priority areas for action
Explore at EU level
- possibility of launching an Alliance on efficient use of water in line with Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)
- include rules on water management in quality and certification schemes
- improve labelling rules to provide targeted information on water performance and practices on products and services
Encourage at national level educational programmes, large campaigns of communication

18. Draft policy orientations
Putting the right price tag on water
Allocating water more efficiently
Improving drought risk management
Increasing water supply: the very last option
Fostering water performance technologies and practices
Fostering the emergence of water-saving culture in EU
Improving knowledge and data collection

19.  A water scarcity and drought information system across Europe with
G. Improving knowledge
and data collection
 A water scarcity and drought information system across Europe with
Standardised data provided on a yearly basis by Member States – need to agree on indicators
Yearly assessment by the Commission
 Research and technological development opportunities
 Use and exploitation of research results
 Explore further opportunities including networking under the FP7

20. Open discussion
Water scarcity / droughts
Water pricing
Drought management
Water supply as very last option
Alternative technologies
Funds
Use of exemptions

21. Thank you for your attention